Growing opposition to Edgemead's proposed R50m City Improvement District levies

A proposal that could see Edgemead residents paying an extra R50 million in levies over five years has sparked strong opposition from a growing coalition of homeowners, business owners and political representatives. 

The initiative, aimed at establishing a City Improvement District (CID) in the suburb, would require households to pay between R200 and R500 plus VAT each month on top of existing municipal rates and taxes.

The Cape Independence Party (CAPEXIT) has joined residents in rejecting the plan, which they describe as unaffordable, unnecessary, and procedurally flawed.

Opposition has been gaining momentum through the Facebook group STOP Edgemead CID, created on August 19, and now supported by more than 750 members.

“Property owners are extremely annoyed that they now face the prospect of being forced to pay additional levies. We’re already under huge financial pressure. This is totally unacceptable,” said resident and STOP ECID member Kirsten Fernandes.

She said that the City's CID branch described objecting residents as creating a “chaotic environment” at the August public meeting.

Residents said visible patrols by police, five Metro Police officers, and a strong Neighbourhood Watch structure already meet safety needs.

CAPEXIT Ward 5 candidate Kevin Siebert described the plan as “a solution in search of a problem,” saying it was “undemocratic and unacceptable” to impose new levies through what he called an exclusionary and opaque process.

The Urban Management Survey, which forms the basis of the draft business plan, reached just 579 out of 3 600 property owners about 16 percent of Edgemead’s households.

Despite this, the CID Steering Committee claimed 62 percent of owners supported the idea.

CAPEXIT’s Karl Bodin dismissed this: "At a public meeting on August 28, residents say only three people indicated they had even been aware of the CID initiative beforehand, despite claims that 90 percent of the suburb had been informed."

Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the CID Steering Committee said in response to the claims: "There is currently no application. If the committee fails to achieve 60 percent written support from property owners, the application cannot be submitted to the City. This is a community initiative; the City only guides them through the process."

The draft business plan was for public comment until this week.

 If amended and reintroduced, it will require 60% approval from property owners before any application can be lodged. 

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